Elmhurst University Chaplain H. Scott Matheny to leave after 28 years, thanks city

Chaplain H. Scott Matheny of Elmhurst University told the Elmhurst City Council on June 2 that he will leave his role effective Aug. 1 after 28 years of service and offered public thanks to the university and the Elmhurst community.

Matheny said he began at Elmhurst in 1997 after serving as chaplain at Columbia University and Barnard College and described his time in Elmhurst as “home.” “I have the distinct honor of serving as the Chaplain at Elmhurst for 28 years,” Matheny said. “I could not leave August first of this summer without saying thank you to a number of places and people because of what I have experienced here.”

The remarks came during the meeting’s public forum; Matheny used the time to highlight collaborations with the city’s committees, the fire and police departments, university staff and local businesses. He said the experience helped the university and community “figure out where it’s going and what it’s doing.” Matheny also said he will move to Chicago and joked that he cannot “come back unless I’m invited back.”

Mayor Lehi responded to Matheny’s remarks, thanking him for his service and noting a long working relationship. “We appreciate that,” Lehi said, adding that Matheny had done “a lot for the community” and for the university. No formal action or council resolution accompanied the remarks.

Matheny’s announcement was delivered as part of the council’s public forum; the council later moved on to its consent agenda and other routine business. The university and council did not present a replacement plan during the June 2 meeting.